Sharing the Road
Pedestrians and cyclists
Pedestrians in a crosswalk have the right-of-way, and drivers must yield, including when turning across a crosswalk. Do not pass a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk; someone may be crossing in front of it. When passing a bicyclist, give at least three feet of clearance and slow down. Bicycles are vehicles: they follow the same rules, ride with traffic, and may use a full lane when needed for safety.
Motorcycles and large trucks
Motorcycles are entitled to a full lane; never share a lane with one. Because they are small, their speed and distance are hard to judge, so look twice before turning or pulling out. Large trucks have big blind spots on both sides, directly behind, and in front of the cab. A truck making a wide right turn may swing left first; never squeeze into the space on its right. If you cannot see the truck driver in the mirror, the driver cannot see you.
School buses and emergency vehicles
On an undivided road, stop for a school bus with flashing red lights, whether you are behind it or approaching from the opposite direction. On a divided highway with a median, oncoming traffic does not stop. When an emergency vehicle approaches with lights and siren, pull to the right edge and stop until it passes. If an emergency vehicle is stopped on the roadside with lights on, move over a lane or slow down if you cannot.
Traps
Questions test the divided-highway exception for school buses and the "move over" rule. Also watch for the trap of passing a stopped bus on the left when you are traveling the opposite direction on an undivided road; you must still stop.
Rule of thumb
Look twice for motorcycles, give cyclists three feet, and treat a flashing red school bus light as a stop sign on your side of an undivided road.
Alcohol and Drug Awareness
Impairment basics
Alcohol slows reaction time, reduces judgment, and impairs coordination before a driver feels drunk. In Arizona, a driver is legally impaired at a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent; for commercial drivers the limit is lower, and drivers under 21 are subject to zero tolerance. Impairment can also come from prescription and over-the-counter drugs, marijuana, and combinations; a legal prescription is not a defense to impaired driving. Fatigue, stress, and some medications multiply the effect of small amounts of alcohol.
How the body handles alcohol
The liver metabolizes alcohol at a limited rate; nothing speeds it up. Coffee, cold showers, food, and exercise do not sober a person, though food can slow absorption. Time is the only cure. Body weight, food intake, and drink strength affect BAC, so counting drinks is unreliable; counting hours is more useful.
Consequences and decisions
A DUI conviction carries license suspension, fines, possible jail, and required ignition interlock. Refusing a chemical test has its own license consequences. The safest plan is to decide before drinking: designate a sober driver, use a rideshare, or stay put. Never ride with an impaired driver, and never let a friend drive impaired.
Traps
Questions often present a "sobering up" myth as a plausible answer, or ask whether a prescription makes driving legal. Another common trap is the idea that a person who feels fine is safe to drive; impairment begins below the level of noticeable feeling.
Rule of thumb
If you have consumed any alcohol, do not drive. Time is the only thing that lowers BAC, so plan the ride before the first drink.
Vehicle Requirements
Required equipment
Arizona requires working brakes, headlights, taillights, brake lights, turn signals, a horn, mirrors, a speedometer, and a muffler that prevents excessive noise. Windshield wipers must work, and the windshield must not be obstructed. Tires need adequate tread and correct pressure; worn tires lose grip, especially on wet roads. Safety belts and child restraints are required, and children under a certain age and size must use an appropriate child seat rather than a seat belt alone.
Lights and visibility
Headlights are required at night and whenever visibility is poor, including during rain and dust storms. Use low beams in fog, rain, or dust; high beams reflect back and reduce visibility. Turn signals must be visible and functional. Keep the windshield, mirrors, and lights clean, and remove snow, ice, or dust before driving.
Maintenance and inspections
Check tire pressure when tires are cold, and check tread depth with a gauge. Keep fluids topped off and replace worn wipers. Know how to check that brake lights and turn signals work, since a failed light is both a safety hazard and a common cause of stops. If your vehicle has a safety defect, fix it before driving.
Traps
Questions may ask whether high beams are appropriate in fog (they are not) or whether a cracked windshield matters (it can obstruct vision and is a violation). Another trap is assuming a vehicle passes because it starts and moves; lights, horn, and wipers are part of the requirement.
Rule of thumb
Do a quick walk-around before driving: lights, tires, windshield, and mirrors. If any required equipment is broken, do not drive until it is fixed.